Now that Miller's jail time is over, one of the most important questions that needs to be asked is this: Does the issue of source/journalist relationship continue to have any legs? There was substantial criticism (justified, in my opinion) of the decision to jail her, and it led to lengthy conversations in the journalism and education communities about a reasonable response. Now, what happens? Do we in the journalism and education worlds continue to press the issue for federal shield laws? Or do we retreat and wait for the next opportunity to sound the alarm but not fight the fire?

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter has proposed legislation that has been endorsed by the Radio-Television News Directors Association. I hope many people in the journalism and educational communities also add their support to this idea.

The RTNDA press release is found here...

RTNDA Backs Sen. Specter's Call for Cameras in the Supreme CourtWASHINGTON—The Radio-Television News Directors Association supports legislation introduced yesterday by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) to allow television and radio coverage of the United States Supreme Court.The legislation would require the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of its open sessions, unless a majority of justices vote that televising those proceedings would violate the rights of those appearing before the court.Cosponsors of the bill include Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Russell Feingold (D-WI), John Cornyn (R-TX) and George Allen (R-VA).In a statement on the floor of the Senate, Specter said, "The purpose of this legislation is to open the Supreme Court doors so that more Americans can see the process by which the Court reaches critical decisions of law that affect this country and everyday Americans. Because the Supreme Court of the United States holds power to decide cutting-edge questions on public policy, thereby effectively becoming a virtual 'super legislature,' the public has a right to know what the Supreme Court is doing. And that right would be substantially enhanced by televising the oral arguments of the Court so that the public can see and hear the issues presented to the Court. With this information, the public would have insight into key issues and be better equipped to understand the impact of the Court's decisions."In a letter to Sen. Specter, RTNDA president Barbara Cochran said, "With a new chief justice taking office, the time is right to open the doors of the third branch of government to modern means of communication. We appreciate your efforts to enact legislation that will bring about such a development."Federal appeals court Judge John G. Roberts Jr., President Bush's nominee for chief justice, said during his confirmation hearings that he was open to the idea of televising Supreme Court proceedings.Specter's web site is www.specter.senate.gov.Visit http://www.rtnda.org/foi/cochran_092605.shtml to read Cochran's letter, and http://www.rtnda.org/foi/cc.shtml for a complete history of RTNDA's efforts to open up courts to electronic journalists.RTNDA is the world's largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTNDA represents local and network news executives in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries.###